digitrax "programming"

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

Returning here to see if I can get help “Programming” or telling the newly installed decoder an “address” so that the (TCS)-decoder - installed loco will move. I am using a Digitrax system to “Program”. The manual instructions are not clear. When I follow the existing steps, I get a FAIL notice. When I try using the other “Programming” options (perhaps for a non-Digitrax decoder) to “Address” the loco/decoder, the same “FAIL” message… One time I got a “GOOD” message and a beep. So…

I simply trying to give this loco/decoder a 2-digit address so that it will move. Failure. Any tips, because this manual is really of no use. Thanks.

I will return to this “Forum” for replies; my email is: rodwilli98@yahoo.com

Thanks again

2

First of all, which system do you have? The details will vary depending on the system, but in general, you press the Program key, until the bottom middle of the display says Pg for paged mode or Pd for direct mode, either will work for a TCS decoder. If you go past the one you want, just keep hitting the Program button, it cycles around through the 4 options.

Turn the LEFT throttle knob counter-clockwise until the display says AD2=???, this is for setting a two-digit address.

Turn the RIGHT knob to dial in the address you want, it has to be 127 or less.

Press the Enter button.

That’s it. Straight from the manual. If you are hitting any other button, you’re not reading the manual.

Now the details, if you have a DCS100, Super Chief Xtra system, you will have the loco on the program track, which is a seperate piece of track connected to the Prog A and Prog B terminals on the DCS100. If you have a DB150, Super Empire Builder Xtra, there is no seperate program track, so you need to be sure no other locos are on the rails, or they will also be programmed.

If you have a Zephyr, or Zephyr Xtra, the loco will be on a dedicated program track connected to the Prog A and Prog B terminals on the unit (they are NOT next to each other, the Ground terminal is in between them)

On a Zephyr/Xtra, you pres the Prog button, until the display says Dir. The press the Loco button, the display will say either AD2 or AD4, press the loco button two switch between them. If you want a two digit address, select Ad2 and then key ion the address you want using the numbers. 1-127 only. The press CV-WR to write the address. That’s it, again, straight from the manual.

–Randy

3

If you continue to get Fail messages, perhaps the decoder is not correctly installed. If the motor is not isolated, or there is a short between either the rails or the motor, or between a rail and one of the motor wires, or if the motor wires are not properly connected, it will not program, in which case you’ve been hopefully trying this on a program track and not with full track power, which will keep the decoder from being fried if there is a wiring mistake.

–Randy

4

I’d try to “read” the existing ID no. first. If it fails, it means there’s a problem with the decoder or your programming track. If this is a new system, I’d make sure your programming track is connected to the correct terminals and is working normally.

5

Thanks, Randy…

I have the DIGITRAX “Super Empire Builder xTra” with the DB150 and DT402 throttle. I also constructed a separate track connected directly to “railA and railB” on the DB150. I also followed the manual instructions. During one attempt to “program”, I did get a beep and “Good” response, which suggested that the decoder was now “programmed”. I exited and turned track power back on - like the manual suggests. Then I hit the '“LOCO” button on the throttle and got a “SEL” msg. I use the key pad to enter the 2-digit “address” that I previously entered during programming. Then when I use the left throttle knob, nothing happens.

I have been busy searching the internet; “Googling”, etc. for some answers. I read several items that seem to suggest that it is “Bad News” to try to run BOTH DC and DCC locos on the same layout. Wow! I am attempting to get into DCC for that very reason: To use ONE throttle system to run both a DC loco AND a DCC loco at the same time with each of the two throttle knobs on my DT402. Now, I’m confused and not so sure that my $500.00+ investment was worthwhile or makes sense.

Is this “Forum” the correct place for you and I or others to communicate? Is there another way? I am a 3hr drive from the nearest hobby shop. I am new to this small town; don’t know of anyone remotely into model railroading. So, this MR Forum is my only reliable source of info.

Thanks for your patience. You can send me an email at: rodwilli98@yahoo.com, if that is preferrable.

6

Pick up 402

hit prog button till Pg appears

You should see AD2=??? If you see AD4=??? then double click left knob till it says AD2=???

Rotate right throttle will address is what you want. Or you can type in the number with NO leading zeros

Hit enter

rotate left knob till it says 29

rotate right know till is says 2

Hit enter

Hit exit

hit Power (red) button

Hit Y

Hit loco

type in 2 digit address with NO LEADING ZEROS

hit enter

Play

David B

7

With the DT series of throttles, you must acquire the loco’s correct/programmed address on ONE OF the two encoder knobs. When you hold down one of the two throttle knobs, and wait, you’ll get the flashing SEL message on the display. Use the number pad to enter the address, and click the encoder knob…the throttle knob. The little locomotive smoke icon should flash above that one throttle knob. It is THAT knob that you use to run the locomotive.

I am not so sure you realize this, but you said the ‘left throttle’. It doesn’t have to be the left throttle, it’s whichever of the two you make active by clicking it. Also, you can’t normally have one of your properly addressed locos responding to both encoder knobs…one of them will ask you if you want to steal it away from the other one where it IS active.

Another thing…which address are we talking about? If, as Randy cautions, it is, say 1221, then your decoder must be told to enable what is called an extended or ‘long’ address. When you press ‘enter’ to assign the decoder a new address, and if it is higher than 127, your DT throttle will beep and show AD “y” meaning to enable the long address in CV29…which it is offering to do automatically for you if you press “Y” for ‘sure, go ahead’. In fact, it beeps, the engine lurches, it beeps again, and then the AD “Y” flashes if I recall. You press “y” within three or four seconds, and it will beep again and everything will go silent. The track power has been automatically cut…look at the little red light on the front face of the DB150 and see for yourself. At that point, you must press the power button at the bottom, and then “Y” again to tell the DB 150 to apply power to the rails again.

Your newly addressed locomotive may not move until you acquire its address on one of the two knobs and click the knob to make it active.

8

I have the same system as the OP and doing the address, short or long is the easiest thing to do.

All I can come up with is that the programing track or the engines wheels are dirty.

If not then the decoder is not making good contact or it is defective.

9

Don’t know if this will help any or if it’s something you might be doing, but I kept getting fail message(s) until I realized that after dialing in ops mode I hit program again before enter and as I hit the program button it would change the ops mode to the other modes (through the cycle). I didn’t notice at lst and wondered why I was getting fail messages.

I realized soon enough and after re-consulting the manual, that I shouldn’t hit the programming button again after entering a CV and value, just the enter button, thus staying in OPs mode and no longer getting fail messages.

Any chance you were doing that? I may be the only one who ever has :wink: Just thought I’d bring it up even though it’s not likely the issue for you…

Jim